My wife and I will be in Sonoma the last week of June (25th-30th) and have been dying to go to the French Laundry for over the past decade. We tried everything! Both of us tried open table at 3am EST each day, made numerous calls, and even had Visa Signature try for us, but alas no success!
I’ve heard a few great things about Meadowood. We really wanted to do an all out sort of dinner, and I’d like to solicit your input on this place.
Even though the FL didn’t work out, we are still so incredibly excited to be going back out in only a few short months
I went to Meadowood 2 summers ago and the food was fantastic. I will say however that the stuffiness that we were greeted with when we arrived almost caused us to leave. However, our waitress as well as one of the young managers more than made up for it with their freindliness and attitudes throughout the meal. Just don’t expect a raucous good time from anybody there. It’s more like eating mind blowing food in solitary confinement like silence.
Below the hype and assumed prestige, there are some excellent restaurants in the Napa Valley. If it’s French cuisine and/or high cost for your food served in a generally stuffy atmosphere, you can add Auberge du Soleil to that group and I’d bet you can get in there still.
I think Meadowood has perhaps the loveliest dining room in Napa Valley. I find it elegant and not stuffy - actually quiet enough to enjoy a quiet and private conversation with your dining companions. I noticed recently that they have relaxed the dress code, actually stating that denim is ok, and it is also ok for men to not wear jackets.
The same chef has been in place for some time now, and I find his style of cooking and presentation too precious. Too many small bites of this and that, with nothing you really enjoy as your meal. Potato ice cream? Not for me. Just an example of searching too hard to do something extraordinary. I want texture and a robustness of flavor, and my trips to Meadowood have not provided that experience.
Terra, in my opinion, will give you more substance on the plate. They have revamped their venue, converting one of the dining rooms to a drop in, more casual bar atmosphere, with a focus on mixed drinks and small plates. Definitely still upscale, though.
Not Panchas . The other dining room has become even more refined than it was before - it looks lovely. I have not eaten in that room since the conversion, but my guess is that these well-seasoned pros are still turning out tasty food that you can sink your teeth into.
You really can’t go wrong at either place, although IMHO, I place FL a clear notch above Meadowood, including the price (Ouch). My wife and I did the same thing as you did, right at opening 2 months before, called over and over, busy, busy, finally someone picked up and said “Sorry, losers.” Disappointed, we started looking at other options like you did. We actually got in off the waiting list, so I wouldn’t give up all hope. I hope you put your name down in case of cancellations. Food is sublime, service impeccable, and the best part was that Tom Keller happened to be in the kitchen that night. Met the man himself, gave us a tour of the kitchen, showed us his closed circuit flatscreen to Per Se and personalized a cookbook for my wife. Really made the trip. Anyway, I ramble, but don’t give up on FL yet.
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. The other dining room has become even more refined than it was before - it looks lovely. I have not eaten in that room since the conversion, but my guess is that these well-seasoned pros are still turning out tasty food that you can sink your teeth into.